T-post sign holder

ABSTRACT

The T-Post Sign Holder is comprised of a t-post receptacle and a sign support. The t-post receptacle is integrally formed to the sign support and the sign support is structurally reinforced onto the t-post receptacle via support webs. The use of the invention is relatively simple: the user slides the invention over the top of a t-post engaging the t-post into the t-post receptacle. The t-post receptacle is comprised of two internal channels into which the flanges of a standard t-post may engage. The user then mounts his sign onto the sign support using fasteners through a plurality of fastener holes formed by the sign support or using adhesive.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS (UNLESS INCLUDED IN THE APPLICATION DATA SHEET)

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/691,988, filed on Jun. 17, 2005. U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/691,988 is incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING,” A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention involves the general area of supporting signs. More specifically, the instant invention involves supporting signs on so called “t-posts.” T-posts are commonly used in rural areas to support wire and barbed wired fencing. It is commonly very difficult to find a location on which to support or hang a sign on these types of fences. In many instances, it is useful or necessary to support a “No Trespassing” or “No Hunting” sign on wire or barbed wire fences or the supporting t-posts. Supporting these signs can be difficult and, depending on the type of material comprising the sign, impossible. The instant invention solves the problem of supporting signs by providing a structure to support signs on t-posts.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention is comprised of a t-post receptacle and a sign support. The t-post receptacle is integrally formed to the sign support and the sign support is structurally reinforced onto the t-post receptacle via support webs. The use of the invention is relatively simple: the user slides the invention over the top of a t-post engaging the t-post into the t-post receptacle. The t-post receptacle is comprised of two internal channels into which the flanges of a standard t-post may engage. The user then mounts his sign onto the sign support using fasteners through a plurality of fastener holes formed by the sign support or using adhesive.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in this application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be used as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. Additional benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates from the subsequent description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows an alternative rear perspective view of the invention from the top.

FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a view of the invention from the sign mounting side.

FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the instant invention where the t-post sign holder is a horizontal support affixed to the t-post.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention 10 is comprised of a t-post receptacle 11 and a sign support 14. The sign support 14 is further comprised of the front sign support 41 where the sign is mounted onto the invention 10. The t-post receptacle 11 is integrally formed to the sign support 14 and the sign support 14 is structurally reinforced onto the t-post receptacle via a plurality of support webs 12. The t-post receptacle 11 is a hollow, elongated rectangular structure that accepts the top end of the t-post. The t-post receptacle 11 is closed at one end and open at the other end of the elongated rectangular structure so that the t-post can slide into the t-post receptacle. The top, closed end of the t-post receptacle 11 supports the invention on the top of the t-post. The top, closed end of the t-post receptacle 11 is coplanar with the one edge of the sign support 14.

In one preferred embodiment of the instant invention, the t-post receptacle is approximately 2 inches high, 2 inches wide and 3.25 inches long. The longer dimension of the t-post receptacle 11 extends perpendicularly to the top, closed end and extends parallel with the t-post.

The plurality of support webs are integrally formed with the t-post receptacle 11 and sign support 14. The sign support 14 is either square or rectangular in shape, but in the preferred embodiment is rectangular. The sign support 14 forms a plurality of fastener holes 13 near the periphery of the sign support 14. The fastener holes 13 allow for fasteners, including, but not limited to, screws, rivets or cotter pins to be inserted through the sign and the fastener holes 14 to secure the sign to the sign support 14. The instant invention 10 is manufactured from polymeric materials.

In one preferred embodiment the instant invention is manufactured from polyethylene. In this preferred embodiment the sign support 14 is fabricated from polyethylene approximately 0.125 inches is thickness and is approximately 11.25 inches wide and 8.75 inches tall. With these dimensions, the sign support 14 can accommodate signs printed on letter sized paper or other materials and mounted on the sign support 14 in landscape fashion. The plurality of fastener holes 14 in the preferred embodiment are approximately 0.25 inches in diameter and are arranged in the corners of the sign support and along the edges of the sign support.

The t-post receptacle 11 is further comprised of two or more internal channels 31 which are located inside the t-post receptacle 11. The internal channels 31 serve to engage the side flanges of the t-post to provide a secure fit of the instant invention 10 on the t-post.

The use of the invention is as follows: the user slides the invention over the top of a t-post engaging the t-post into the t-post receptacle. The t-post receptacle is comprise of two internal channels into which the flanges of a standard t-post may engage. The user then mounts his sign onto the sign support using fasteners through the fastener holes formed by the sign support or using adhesive.

Another embodiment of the t-post sign holder is illustrated in FIG. 5. In this alternate embodiment 50, the t-post sign holder is a horizontal support 51 affixed to the t-post. This embodiment of the t-post sign holder is more appropriate for heavier signs or other objects to be secured on a t-post. The horizontal support 51 is an essentially rectangular bar, and in a preferred embodiment the horizontal support bar 51 is manufactured from metallic materials or rigid polymeric materials. The horizontal support 51 forms a plurality of sign holes 52 arranged along the horizontal support 51. In a preferred embodiment of this alternative t-post sign holder, the plurality of sign holes 52 formed is two. The horizontal support 51 is secured to the t-post with any securing means. In one preferred embodiment, the securing means is a t-post clip 53 that fits around the t-post and secures the horizontal support 51 by securing the horizontal support with a resistance fit around the bottom of the horizontal support 51 (as shown in FIG. 5), or around the top of the horizontal support 51. In another preferred embodiment, the horizontal support is secured to the t-post by a bracket that is placed behind the t-post and a plurality of bolts and nuts. The plurality of bolts passes through the bracket and provides a means to fasten a sign, particularly a heavy sign, or a piece of plywood to the horizontal support 51 and, in turn, the T-post.

The plurality of sign holes allows for a sign, particularly a heavy sign, or a piece of plywood or any other relatively thin material to be mounted on a T-post. The user places the alternate T-post sign holder support 51 at the appropriate position on the T-post and the fastening means is used to secure the horizontal support 51 to the T-Post. In one preferred embodiment the user employs a T-post clip 53 to secure the horizontal support 51 to the T-post. The user then mounts a sign or plywood panel with the appropriately spaced holes and mounts the sign or plywood to the T-post sign holder using fasteners. 

1. A sign holder comprising a t-post receptacle; and a sign support.
 2. A sign holder as described in claim 1 where the sign support is comprised of a front sign support, the t-post receptacle is integrally formed to the sign support, and the sign support is structurally reinforced onto the t-post receptacle via a plurality of support webs.
 3. A sign holder as described in claim 2 where the t-post receptacle is a hollow, elongated rectangular structure that accepts the top end of the t-post, and the t-post receptacle is closed at one end and open at the other end of the elongated rectangular structure so that the t-post can slide into the t-post receptacle.
 4. A sign holder as described in claim 3 where the top, closed end of the t-post receptacle is coplanar with the one edge of the sign support, and where the top, closed end of the t-post receptacle supports the sign holder on the top of the t-post.
 5. A sign holder as described in claim 4 where the plurality of support webs are integrally formed with the t-post receptacle and sign support.
 6. A sign holder as described in claim 5 where the sign support is either square or rectangular in shape.
 7. A sign holder as described in claim 6 where the sign support forms a plurality of fastener holes near the periphery of the sign support.
 8. A sign holder as described in claim 7 where the a t-post receptacle, the sign support, the front sign support, the plurality of support webs, the top, closed end of the t-post receptacle are manufactured from a polymeric material.
 9. A sign holder as described in claim 7 where the a t-post receptacle, the sign support, the front sign support, the plurality of support webs, the top, closed end of the t-post receptacle are manufactured from a metallic material.
 10. A sign holder as described in claim 8 where the polymeric material is polyethylene, polypropylene, or polystyrene.
 11. A sign holder as described in claim 9 where the metallic material is steel, stainless steel or aluminum.
 12. A sign holder comprised of a horizontal support which is an essentially rectangular bar, where the horizontal support forms a plurality of sign holes arranged regularly along the horizontal support, and a means to secure the horizontal support to the t-post.
 13. A sign holder as described in claim 12 where the securing means is a t-post clip, and the plurality of sign holes is two sign holes.
 14. A sign holder as described in claim 12 where the securing means is a plurality of bolts and nuts, and a bracket, where the plurality of bolts passes through a bracket mounted on the back of the T-post. 